8 Day Rwanda Primates Safari with Gorillas and Chimpanzees

This safari is for travellers who want to see Rwanda’s main primate experiences in one well-paced journey. It combines chimpanzee tracking and forest activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park with gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The trip starts and ends in Kigali, making it practical for visitors flying into Rwanda. You begin with a short arrival stay in Kigali before travelling south to Nyungwe, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and one of the best places in Rwanda for chimpanzee tracking. From Nyungwe, the journey continues along Rwanda’s scenic western route, with lake views, hill country and local towns before reaching the Musanze area near Volcanoes National Park. The main highlight is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, where visitors report early for a briefing before entering the forest with ranger guides. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. The safari also includes golden monkey trekking, giving the itinerary a stronger primate focus beyond gorillas and chimpanzees.

Safari Highlights

• 8-day Rwanda primates safari starting and ending in Kigali
• Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Canopy walk experience in Nyungwe Forest
• Chance to see colobus monkeys and other forest primates
• Scenic transfer through Rwanda’s hill country and Lake Kivu region
• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family
• Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Optional Iby’Iwacu cultural village visit near Musanze
• Private driver guide and road transfers
• Lodge options in Kigali, Nyungwe and Volcanoes region
• Good itinerary for travellers interested in Rwanda’s primates, landscapes and culture

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1, Arrival in Kigali and Hotel Transfer

On arrival at the Airport, your driver guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kigali. This day is kept light so you can recover from the flight and prepare for the safari ahead. Depending on your arrival time, your guide may give you a short briefing about the route, the primate activities, expected driving times and what to pack for the forest days. Dinner and overnight stay in Kigali. Suggested accommodation: Luxury option: Kigali Serena Hotel or similar, Mid-range option: Hotel Chez Lando or similar, Budget option: Iris Guest House or similar

Day 2, Kigali City Visit and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast, begin with a Kigali city visit if time allows. This can include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft shops or a short city orientation before leaving for Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive to Nyungwe takes most of the day and passes through Rwanda’s rolling hills, rural towns, farms and tea-growing areas. A lunch stop can be arranged along the way. This route gives a good introduction to Rwanda beyond Kigali before reaching the forested landscapes of the south-west. Arrive near Nyungwe Forest in the late afternoon or evening, check in at your lodge and prepare for chimpanzee tracking the next morning. Suggested accommodation: Luxury option: One and Only Nyungwe House, Mid-range option: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Budget option: Gisakura Guest House. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3, Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park briefing point for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The ranger guides will brief you on trekking rules, forest safety and how to behave around chimpanzees. After the briefing, you enter the forest with trackers to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. The trek can vary depending on where the chimpanzees nested the previous night and how fast they are moving through the forest. Once the chimpanzees are located, you spend one hour observing them as they feed, call, groom, climb and move through the canopy. Chimpanzees are more active and noisier than gorillas, so the experience feels different from gorilla trekking. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. The afternoon can be kept free or used for a gentle nature walk, depending on your energy and the final plan. Dinner and overnight stay near Nyungwe Forest.

Day 4, Canopy Walk and Colobus Monkey Experience in Nyungwe

After breakfast, return to Nyungwe Forest for the canopy walk experience. The canopy walkway gives a raised view over the rainforest and is one of the most recognised activities in Nyungwe. The walk is good for visitors who want forest scenery, birdlife, photography and a different view of the rainforest beyond the ground trails. You may also see monkeys moving through the trees, depending on conditions and timing. Later, you can add a colobus monkey experience or another guided forest walk. Nyungwe is known for several primate species, and this day helps balance the safari by adding more than one forest activity before leaving for the northern part of Rwanda. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5, Lake Kivu Drive and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, check out and begin the scenic journey towards Volcanoes National Park. This route can follow the western side of Rwanda, with views of hills, villages and Lake Kivu depending on the final routing. Lake Kivu gives the day a relaxed scenic break between Nyungwe and the Volcanoes region. Continue to Musanze, the main town near Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, check in at your lodge and prepare for gorilla trekking the next morning. Your guide will brief you on the early start, what to wear and what to carry. Suggested accommodation: Luxury option: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Mid-range option: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Budget option: Kinigi Guest House or similar. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6, Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing. You must report early, and the briefing normally begins around 7:00 am. During the briefing, rangers explain the trekking rules, health guidelines, safety procedures and how gorilla families are allocated. You will then be assigned a gorilla family and continue to the trailhead with your guides and trackers. The trek can take a short time or several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. The trail may pass through bamboo forest, farmland edges, thick vegetation and steeper slopes.

Once the gorillas are located, you are allowed one hour with the family. You may see a silverback, mothers with young ones, juveniles playing, feeding behaviour and quiet family interaction. Flash photography is not allowed, and visitors must follow the distance and health rules given by the rangers. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. If time and energy allow, a short community visit can be arranged in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay near Volcanoes National Park.

Permit note
The Rwanda gorilla trekking permit for foreign visitors is USD 1,500 per person. This permit should be booked early (atleast 4 to 6 months ahead) because gorilla trekking spaces are limited.

Day 7, Golden Monkey Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Visit

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys live in the bamboo forest of the Virunga region and are one of the best additions to a Rwanda primates safari. The trek is usually less demanding than gorilla trekking, although conditions still depend on the location of the monkeys and the weather. The golden monkeys are active, fast-moving and colourful, which makes the experience lively and good for photography. Once located, you spend one hour watching them feed, jump through bamboo and move in groups. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you may visit Iby’Iwacu cultural village, also known as Gorilla Guardians Village. This visit gives cultural context to the Volcanoes region through local dance, storytelling, traditional practices and community tourism. Dinner and overnight stay near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 8, Return to Kigali and Departure

After breakfast, check out and begin the return journey to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, you may stop for souvenir shopping, a short Kigali city visit or lunch in the city before transfer to Kigali International Airport. This marks the end of your 8-day Rwanda primates safari. For international departures, an afternoon or evening flight is easier because it allows enough time to drive from the Volcanoes region to Kigali without rushing.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included

• Kigali airport pickup and drop-off
• Private safari vehicle and fuel
• English-speaking driver guide
• Accommodation for 7 nights
• Meals as stated in the final itinerary
• Chimpanzee tracking permit
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Golden monkey trekking permit
• Park entrance fee
• Bottled drinking water during transfers
• Kigali city visit, depending on arrival and departure time

Excluded

• International flights
• Rwanda visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guides, rangers, trackers, porters and lodge staff
• Porter fees during trekking
• Personal drinks, laundry and calls
• Optional activities not confirmed in the final quote
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari